Marlins: Ozzie plans to use Adam Greenberg for one at-bat in middle of game

Manager Ozzie Guillen today said Adam Greenberg will not be in the starting lineup for the Marlins on Tuesday.

Guillen originally toyed with the idea of leading Greenberg off and letting him start the game in left field.

“We will try to put him in in the middle of the game and see how that works,” Guillen said.
Guillen said Greenberg likely would be lifted after the at-bat and he wasn’t sure if Greenberg would even run the bases.

“They told me to give him one at-bat. That’s what they want,” he said.

Guillen also said he will manage the game like he does any other game — to win. That’s why he said Greenberg likely would be used without the game on the line.

“I’m not going to pinch hit him for the pitcher just because,” he said.

“If I need a base hit to take the lead or something then I will figure it out another inning. I’m going to manage my game to win the game. I will figure out how to play him but if the game is on the line, I’m going to manage it to win one game.”

Guillen said Greenberg’s appearance will be a positive story and the timing is perfect because neither the Mets or the Marlins are going to the post-season.

“Obviously if we are in the pennant race and this game meant something or if the Mets was in the pennant race and we got to beat them, that’s different,” Guillen said.

“I expect the team to treat this kid well. I expect his teammates for one day to respect him and enjoy the couple of minutes he is going to be with us. .. Just in case somebody out there feels a little bit uncomfortable, they’re more free to talk to me about the situation.

“I will respect everybody’s opinion in this clubhouse but I don’t think it’s going to kill anyone to take one at-bat away from somebody.”

Some other voices from the New York Mets clubhouse on Greenberg.

R.A. Dickey:
“He’s a big leaguer. I’m going to treat him like a big leaguer,” Dickey said. “That’s why he’s here. I would hope he wouldn’t want anything less than that. That’s certainly how I’m going to treat him. So if he comes up, he’s going to get a steady dose of my best. Whatever that is.”

Asked about Greenberg’s feel-good storyline, Dickey said: “Look, I’ve been the product of a lot of chances myself. I’m happy he’s getting that opportunity, for sure. Having followed a little bit about how he went out, it’s nice that he’s given a second chance, so to speak. And, hopefully, he’ll make the most of it or somebody will see something in him that will encourage them to give him a more significant look. It’s a neat story, for sure. You have to tip your hat to someone who had that happen to him and has been able to come back.”

Manager Terry Collins:
“I think it’s a wonderful story. I know there’s some pros and cons about it — why does he get the one at-bat when a lot of other guys don’t. But he did make it. He was good enough to get there at one time. Had he not got hit in the head, who knows if he wouldn’t have been a star today? I just think it’s a great story for this guy to come up with all he’s been through since to try to fight back, all the things he’s had to endure. I think it’s going to be a great story.”

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Guillen said Josh Johnson was scratched from his start tonight because of a tight hamstring.

Mark Buehrle might not start Wednesday, Guillen said. If Buehrle does not, Guillen said one option is for reliever Chad gaudin to start followed by Tom Koehler.